We both turned our heads toward Thomas, who was now standing there, and I was taken by surprise by the look on his face. I had never seen Thomas angry before. He was always the quiet one, the one who smiled, took instructions, and kept to himself. He never got involved in household matters. So seeing him like this was a shock, but it also made me pause.He shut Rose down with a single look, his voice a little too cold. "Know your place in this house."Without another word, he walked toward me, opening the door to the back garden. "Miss, they’re out there," he said quietly, gesturing toward where Emerson and Madeline were. I could tell Thomas wanted a moment alone with Rose, so I shot her one last look and stepped outside, letting the door close behind me.As I walked down the garden path, I tried to shake off the strange feeling from earlier, but something was still bothering me. The tension was high, not just from Rose’s words but from the whole atmosphere in this house. And yet,
"Someone wrote the word BITCH here. I’m telling you, I saw it with my own eyes. They wrote it here. It’s just here." I pointed insistently. "Am I supposed to have just eliminated it? I’m not making this up. Why would I make it up? It was written right here. B-I-T-C-H. In small little capital letters, right here at the corner."I looked toward Emerson, but there was no reaction on his face. "Emerson, seriously, why would I make this up? And why would someone scratch it? You told me it’s brand new. So, are you telling me I just scratched it by myself? Who scratched it?""Calm down," Emerson interrupted softly, stepping towards me with his usual calmness. He placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. "Calm down, Mia. Take a deep breath. Just breathe."I exhaled slowly, watching him, needing him to believe me, to believe what I saw. And finally, he said, "I believe you."I sighed with relief. "You would never do that.“ Emerson continued, “It’s not in your behaviour, not in your character.
"Yes, Miss, I understand you perfectly, and it won't repeat itself again," Rose bites out each word, her tone barely masking the resentment beneath her facade. She doesn’t want to do this, I can see it in her face, and feel it in the way each syllable is pronounced. But as long as she stays in her lane, I really don’t care.“You can go now,” I tell her dismissively.She looks down, then turns and walks toward the door, dragging her feet. As soon as she closed it, I let out a deep sigh of relief. When I came into this house, I expected things to go smoothly. I knew everyone here already, after all. I thought this would be a small, quick transition, that everyone would remain as cordial as they’d always been. But everyone’s different now, except for Thomas, who keeps to himself as he always has. He just gets the updates, nods, and goes on with his day.My relationship with Madeline seems to have gone down the drain. We were once close, and now… it’s like there’s a wall between us. Ros
I laugh, even though we both know he’s joking. "Maybe I should start my own business," I joke.But then, I see his face turn serious like he just heard something incredible."Yes," he says, a smile spreading across his face. "You should open your own company. I believe in you, and I know how brilliant you are. You’d be amazing. You should start thinking about it right now.""Are you serious?" I ask, surprised. "Because I only said it as a joke.""Of course I’m serious! Are you kidding?“ “Looking at how excited you are already. I’m starting to get excited too!"His enthusiasm catches me off guard. I can’t help but smile. "I mean, I guess since I already have the money, I wouldn’t need to worry about getting capital or investors.""Exactly. And while it wouldn’t hurt to have some backing from a company like the Blackwinds, it’s entirely up to you.""Oh, please," I say, rolling my eyes. "You’re not serious.""I am." He nods earnestly. "I’ll give you the funding to open the company. And
By the time evening comes, I have spent the day lazying in bed. I haven't eaten anything. Ever since I had brunch with Emerson this morning, I haven't even had an appetite. But as I get out of the house and walk around the garden, I suddenly get an idea. I'm going to surprise Emerson with food. Yes! When...he comes home tonight. How should I surprise him? Hmm... Yes. I'm going to make him a surprise dinner, and maybe tonight we can change our relationship and the rules he has tried building when I got here, although they never worked anyway, because I still remember the heat in his eyes this morning in Eric's office.That decided I go into the kitchen. I'm not a very good cook or not a bad one either. I used to cook when Eric and I were living together, so I think I can cook something decent. Plus I'm sure that Emerson would enjoy the gesture and enjoy the effort. I go into the kitchen and find Madeline.“Hi!” I say to her.“Hi,” she responds, but right now, our relationship seems l
I go into my bedroom and start choosing my night dress. I choose the skimpiest, most seductive nightdress I own, something I know will catch Emerson's attention. The fabric is delicate, hugging me in all the right places. I pair it with a light, elegant robe on top so I can comfortably go downstairs without drawing too much attention, at least not from anyone but him.With a deep breath, I glance at myself in the mirror, feeling a rush of confidence. Tonight, I’m setting the stage. Whatever chaos surrounded us earlier, I’m determined to make this evening something memorable.I take a long bubble bath, letting the warmth soak away the tension of the day as I prepare myself for the evening. Afterwards, I smooth on my favourite lotion, enjoying the light fragrance as I spray a hint of perfume. I put effort into every detail—my hair is styled in a loose, elegant bun, with a few strands framing my face. A little makeup completes the look, just enough to enhance my features without overdoin
I looked up at Emerson, breathing hard, meeting his intense gaze as I ran my hands across his chest, feeling the firmness beneath my fingers. He shivered at my touch, his eyes following my every move, and I whispered, “You want me to stop?”For a second, his face tightened, and he nodded slowly, almost reluctantly. “Why?” I asked, my voice a gentle whisper, feeling the vulnerability in him. My hands roamed over his body, and as I leaned in, I placed a soft kiss on the left side of his chest, just over his heart. He inhaled sharply, catching my hand as if to steady himself, as if he couldn’t hold back.“What?” I murmured, raising my gaze to his face, searching his eyes for answers he wouldn’t say. But the hesitation was fading, replaced by a raw want that he could no longer hide.Standing on my tiptoes, I brushed my lips lightly against his, first a soft peck, a gentle nudge that grew as I kissed his cheek, then his jawline, tasting the warmth of his skin. When I finally pressed my
I froze with my hand on the door. I wanted to turn back and look at him, but I didn’t. I knew what Emerson was like. I stood there for a few seconds as the room grew tenser. And then I smiled. I opened the door and left, not closing it behind me, not making a move to acknowledge his words or acknowledge him at all. I went straight to my room, with a mixture of emotion within myself.I was fuming with anger, but for some reason, I couldn’t explain, I was smiling. And then, out of nowhere, I started laughing. I didn’t even know what was so funny. 'What the hell is wrong with Emerson? What is wrong with him?' I thought to myself. 'He did not just say that to me.' But I knew he did. He just did. I sat on the bed, replaying every second of our night together in my head. It was amazing. It was everything I’d hoped for. So why in the world was Emerson acting this way?Maybe Emerson is just like his son, Eric. Maybe they’re the same. 'What was I supposed to understand from this? That I wa
I go shopping and buy new clothes.Yesterday, when Trey came back from wherever he had disappeared to, he brought me a few outfits because, according to him, I didn't have any. But today, I doing the shopping. I have my own money—the money Emerson gave me for my trip—so I take myself shopping.I even go to the salon and get my hair done. My nails, too. I throw a spa day for myself, just me, a celebration of… whatever this new chapter of my life. In the evening I have dinner, and then I head towards Trey’s penthouse.I think it’s time I start looking for my own apartment. I have Emerson’s money, after all.Or, you know what? I could still go on that trip to Rio.These are the thoughts running through my head as I step into the elevator. I get off the elevator and I open the door. The moment I step inside, I freeze.I blink, processing the sight in front of me.Trey is standing right there, in the exact spot where I stood yesterday when he came home with that blonde bimbo.And he’s hold
Then, all at once, the decision is made."This is not worth it," I say, standing up so fast my chair scrapes against the floor. I’m not doing this. I don’t care about this job, this project, this entire damn company. I’m not safe here.No one stops me as I step away from my desk."People have put things in my drink," I continue, my voice growing louder. "I don’t even know if they were trying to poison me or just being assholes. I don’t know what they’re capable of. And now this?" I motion toward the broken vase. I look at Eric, who has a forced smile on his face. I know that smile, he knows he fucked up but he is not going to own up to it or apologize. "No. I’m done." I announceI turn toward Emerson. Our eyes meet. His expression is unreadable, but something flickers there—something like regret.I smile tightly, grabbing my bag. "I’m leaving."And this time, I mean it.I am out of the door and already in the parking lot, walking towards my car, ready to leave it all behind. But t
I wake up the next morning in a surprisingly good mood.And as always, when I’m in a good mood, it’s all white for me. A white suit, white shoes, and, of course, my white handbag.When I pull into the parking lot, I spot Trey right away. He’s leaning against his car, phone pressed to his ear, talking animatedly. The moment his gaze lands on me, his entire face lights up."There you go, Miss Harper," he greets, slipping his phone into his pocket. "I’ve been waiting for you. I thought since it’s my first day here, you could show me around."I arch a brow. "You don’t work for Black Wind Company, Treyson. You’re just an affiliate.""Still means I get to be here, doesn’t it?" He smirks. "Besides, don’t tell me you don’t want to see how amazing I look today."I roll my eyes, but I can’t help taking him in. He does look good—annoyingly."Well, you seem to be in a good mood," he notes.I don’t confirm or deny it. Instead, I just say, "You could say something like that."We chat as we walk in
The minute I step inside the penthouse, I close the door behind me and slump to the floor.And then, I start sobbing.I cry. And I cry. And I cry.I have no idea why the tears won’t stop falling. Maybe it’s exhaustion. Maybe it’s frustration. Maybe it’s everything catching up to me all at once.Then, suddenly—The door handle rattles.I freeze, my heart hammering. My head snaps toward the door in alarm.Then I hear Trey's voice—low, amused. A woman’s voice follows, laughing a little too much, a little too loud. And then—kissing sounds.Panic grips me.Oh God. They’re coming in here.I can’t let them find me like this. A mess. My mascara is probably streaked down my cheeks, my eyeliner smudged, my hair wild.I jump to my feet, wiping my tears in a hurry. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to smooth it down, to make myself look less like someone who was just breaking down on the floor.And then the door swings open and Trey walks in With her. The blonde beauty from the club.I sho
We were already in the parking lot. Emerson’s driver had stepped out, opening the car door for him.Then, Trey’s words came back to me.He just decides. One moment, he pushes you away and tells you to take time and think for yourself. The next, he decides you're his again. Just like that.And wasn’t that exactly what was happening?Right now, he had decided I was his girl again. Right now, I am sick, weak, and unable to stand on my own. So he was taking me home. Taking care of me. But what happens tomorrow morning when I wake up feeling fine? Will I still be his? Or will everything go back to how it was—cold, distant, uncertain?Was he doing this because he still loved me? Or was it guilt? Some sense of responsibility because he thought I couldn’t take care of myself?The more I thought about it, the more I realized something painful. Maybe Emmerson was right. Maybe I wasn’t capable of taking care of myself. I never had been. I'd never really been alone. And that scared me more than a
Silence.Trey turned to me then, really looking at me for the first time. His expression changed."Mina," he said, his voice softer. "What’s going on? Are you okay? Why didn't you call me?"I nodded weakly. "I’m okay." Which was kind of crazy, considering I wasn’t okay at all.I should have expected Trey to ask me first if I was okay, but maybe it didn’t matter. It wasn’t like he was my boyfriend or anything."I think I ate something bad," I admitted. "Or I have food poisoning or something. Emerson found me and took care of me. I just need to lie down and get some water."Trey hesitated, then said, "I’ll take you to the hospital."Before I could answer, Emerson spoke for me."That’s okay," he said. "I got her.""I insist," Treyson said.Emerson looked at him, then at the blonde, who was still standing at the door, watching our exchange in silence. Then, he spoke."You seem to be a little occupied at the moment," Emerson said. "Just leave it to me. I'll take care of her. I've been tak
I slumped back into my seat, lifting the champagne glass to my lips. The music around me, the crowd below moving in with the beat. But I wasn’t paying attention anymore.Trey was still downstairs with the blonde beauty.I took another sip, then another.I didn’t know how long I sat there, lost in my own thoughts, but suddenly, my stomach twisted. I was suddenly nauseous, and before I could process it, I was on my feet, rushing toward the VIP restroom.The moment I reached the toilet sink, I started vomiting.It was relentless. I emptied everything I had eaten, my stomach lurching violently, rejecting it all. Even when there was nothing left, I kept heaving—dry, painful retches that left me gasping for air. Sweat dripped down my back, soaking my clothes, making my skin feel clammy.I was a mess.My legs gave out, and I sank onto the cold tile floor, my body trembling. I couldn’t move. My limbs felt too heavy, my mind too foggy. My mouth tasted awful, sour and bitter from the vomit, but
By the time we got back to Trey's penthouse, I wasn’t as furious as I had been when we left. I was still in a semi-not-good mood, but at least I wasn’t ready to throw Trey out of his own penthouse anymore. Naturally, he took advantage of my slightly better mood and started coaxing me into going to a restaurant with him for dinner. Adding that he had already made reservations.I was just about to give in when, on our way there, we passed a food truck selling burgers. And that was it for me.“I want one,” I announced.Trey groaned. “Are you serious? We’re on our way to a restaurant. Better food and better environment.”“I don’t care,” I said, already making my way toward the truck. “I’m getting a burger. Then we can go to your fancy restaurant.”He sighed heavily as if this was the greatest inconvenience of his life. But, of course, he couldn’t just sit there and watch me eat alone. So, begrudgingly, he ordered one too.And then another.And then another.By the time we were done, I tur
That morning, I woke up with a raging headache.My stomach is uneasy, and there’s this awful taste in my mouth. I groan, then rush to the bathroom.By the time I step out, I find Treyson in my room.He's holding a tray of breakfast and smiling like he belongs here.I blink. Then I look at the door. Then at him again."How did you get in?"He shrugs. "I walked through the door.""Yes, and I locked it last night. How did you get in?"He smirks and brushes off my question."Here. I brought you breakfast."I sigh and sit down on the bed. My headache is pounding."Are you okay?" he asks."No. My head is killing me. Do you have some painkillers?""Oh! I'll be right back!"He disappears and returns with painkillers and a glass of water.I take them quickly, then turn back to him."Seriously, Trey. How did you get in my bedroom?"He grins. "As I told you yesterday, this is my house. I know how to get in any door. You can’t keep me out."I stare at him."That is so creepy."He waves a hand dis